Combining running and P90X

I want to get started again with the P90X program (I'm one of those people who does the first couple of weeks every couple of months ^_^) but I don't want it to screw up my running training or cause overtraining. Can I just plug in P90x on the days I'm not running, or do I need to be more strategic?

I am not sure if there is a preferred way to do P90X while running is but I am currently doing P90X2 on my off running days. I run 3 to 4 times a week and do P90X2 2 or 3 days a week. I do the 3 main strength workouts but may skip the plyometric and yoga workouts. I do them in order as on the P90X2 schedule but it may take me a week and half to complete what would take 1 week on the schedule. I would do the same if I was doing P90X.

I did do the full P90X program a couple years ago before I started running.

I did three rounds of the P90X program about two years ago, then abandoned it when I started running. After a year of just running, I am now doing a hybrid. I run 4 days a week and do the P90X strength workouts three days a week. Like Sundog, I skip the cardio and yoga workouts. Does it work? I have no idea. I know that I have dropeed about 1:30 off my mile time, but that may just be due to having built a base. What I do like is that I am now getting a little definition back, while still keeping my endurance up for running. I works for me, and that's all that matters.

I've never done the P90X program (although I've met Tony Horton a couple times at 5K races and I've looked at some of the promotional materials), so I'll assume it's similar to a decent strength and general fitness program. The answer really is "it depends." It depends on how much you are running and how hard your training is. It also depends on how strenuous the P90X program is for you personally. For someone with excellent aerobic and muscular fitness, a moderate run and P90X program might be workable, but only in certain situations. If you start ramping up the run training to include more volume or more intensity, it could be difficult to include P90X at the same time. Or not.

I like to incorporate strength work (not necessarily P90X) but mostly at certain times of the year. In the mid-winter, I cut back a lot on my running and cycling. That's a great time for me to focus more on strength work. I have the time and I have the energy.

Then once I start increasing my aerobic training (run, bike, swim) in the late winter, I need to cut back on the strength work. By the time spring rolls around, I'm mostly doing maintenance-type workouts for strength, not serious strength-building sessions. That would be too difficult in terms of time and energy when I'm doing a lot more running (and cycling and swimming) in those months.

It might be more difficult to alter a specific program like P90X to fit your training needs and schedule, but maybe it's possible. I'm not familiar enough with the details. But I do know that I can't do as many strength sets and workouts in the spring and summer because I'm doing a lot more running and cycling at that time. I don't drop the ST completely but I do have to cut it back a lot. That could be one way to incorporate both. It really depends on your run workload and how hard you are pushing the P90X. Each person can only handle so much at any period of time. Proceed carefully and monitor for signs of overreaching, such as extreme fatigue.

Be sure to eat a clean and healthy diet too. Once you start challenging your body with more training, you need to support that program with quality nutrition.